Coordination design of artificial metalloproteins utilizing protein vacant space

Design of artificial metalloproteins is one of the most important subjects in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. In order to prepare them, vacant space of proteins has been utilized because it gives us unique chemical environment to construct catalysts and materials. This article reviews on preparation methods and properties of metal/protein composites. The discussion includes our recent results and development in the screening of composites, crystal structures, molecular design of bio-inspired systems concerning catalysts, electrochemistry, and materials. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.